Sepp Straka Leads After 18 Holes at Tokyo Olympics
Sepp Straka became first Austrian-born player to earn his PGA Tour card in 2019. He played a bogey-free R-1 with four birdies on each side, shooting 32-31-(63). He was born in Vienna but his moved to Valdosta, Georgia, (USA) with his Austrian father and American mother when he was 14 but still stays connected to Austria. Both Sepp and his twin brother, Sam, played golf at the University of Georgia. Sam is carrying his brother’s bag at the Olympics.
Straka MTC on six of his last seven PGA Tour starts.
Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand shot a bogey-free 33-31-(64) with seven birdies on the Kasumigaseki Country Club’s East Course. The 25-year-old, currently ranked 150 in the world, won his first Asian Tour title at the 2017 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open.
Thomas Pieters of Belgium carded his 35-30-(65) with a bogey-free round which included an eagle and four birdies (three of them on back nine).
Patrick Reed, the late replacement for the USA when Bryson DeChambeau tested COVID-19+, and Xander Schauffele are currently the Americans in best position. Reed shot 33-35-(68) and Schauffele shot 34-34-(68). They’re T-12 with six other players.
American Collin Morikawa (T-20) shot two-under (69) and is among 11 players six strokes off the lead. Morikawa is coming off his major victory at The Open a couple weeks ago. Justin Thomas (USA) shot (71), even par for the day and is T-41 in the field of 60 players.
Olympic Leaderboard After 18 Holes:
Sepp Straka (Austria) - 63
Jazz Janewattananond (Thailand) - 64
Thomas Pieters (Belgium) - 65
Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) - 65
Men’s Golf at the Tokyo Olympic Games
COURSE: Kasumigaseki Country Club (East Course)
LOCATION: Saitama, Japan
ARCHITECT(S): Tom and Logan Fazio, redesign 2016
YARDAGE: 7,447
PAR: 71
DEFENDING OLYMPIC CHAMPION: Justin Rose (GBR), Gold Medal, 2016
SOCIAL MEDIA: #OlympicGames #Olympics @OlympicGolf #Tokyo2020
OFFICIAL SITE: International Golf Federation (link)
Olympic Golf Tournament Format
The Olympic golf competition consists of a 72-hole individual stroke play tournament for men’s and women’s events (four rounds scheduled over four consecutive days). Scores are cumulative from round to round. The players with the lowest aggregate scores will be awarded the gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.
There are 60 players each in the men's and women's events for a total of 120 athletes.
There is no cut.
If necessary, playoffs shall be on a hole-by-hole basis immediately following the conclusion of the final round, or on the following day if the IGF chief referee determines that darkness, weather or other conditions preclude conducting a playoff on the day of the final round. The play-off shall commence on a sequence of holes as approved by the IGF Chief Referee and identified prior to the competition beginning.
If two players are tied for the first position, a play-off will be conducted to determine the gold and silver medals. If three or more players are tied for the first position, a playoff will be conducted to determine the gold, silver and bronze medals. If two or more players are tied for the second position, a playoff will be conducted to determine the silver and bronze medals. If two or more players are tied for the third position, a play-off will be conducted for the bronze medal. In any case, only one gold, one silver and one bronze medal will be awarded.
Gold, silver and bronze medals are the prizes for Olympic success. There is no prize money awarded.
The tournament is considered an official event on the PGA’s European Tour and a victory calls for full status. The winner of the tournament receives a one-year exemption into the major championships and the PGA Tour Players Championship.
How to Watch
TV COVERAGE: NBC Sports has exclusive US rights to the Tokyo Olympics. Since the Golf Channel is owned and operated by NBC, the sport of Olympic Golf will air on Golf Channel, live in the USA.
(Broadcast times converted to (EDT)
Today, July 29: 6:30pm (EDT) to Friday 3:00am (EDT) - Golf Channel
Friday, July 30: 6:30pm (EDT) to Saturday 3:00am (EDT) - Golf Channel
Saturday, July 31: 6:30pm (EDT) to Sunday 3:30am (EDT) - Golf Channel
Field, Tee Times
Field of Olympians: (link)
Tee Times: (link)
Tee Times are local. Saitama, Japan is 13 hours ahead of (EDT).
What They’re Saying
Sepp Straka Leads Olympic Golf Tourney (PGATourCom)
Patrick Reed Shoots (68) After Last-Minute Trip to Japan (PGATourCom)
Thomas Pieters Fights Illness (Golf Channel)
Jon Rahm Unsure How he Tested Positive (ESPN/Associated Press)
Five Storylines You Might’ve Missed (Golf Week/USA Today)
Parting Putt:
There was a weather delay of two+ hours during the opening round. Thundershowers are expected again for Round 2.
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